Individuals in the so-called "Blogosphere" frequently tout unsubstantiated rumors, innuendo and even blatant falsehoods.
Posted on 09/26/2004 1:40:25 PM PDT by mccafferty
THE LEADER POST REGINA SASKATCHEWAN. CANADA
JUNE 9 2004
REAGAN WAS HIS HERO
As America mourns Ronald Reagan this week, a Regina man reflects on his time in an elevator with the former president and the autograph collection that brief meeting spawned. Michael McCafferty stepped into a hotel elevator while attending a convention of young American Republicans in 1975. "There he was. I recognized him immediately," said McCafferty, even though Reagan was not yet president. Reagan had recently finished his term as governor of California and was scheduled to speak at the convention breakfast that morning. McCafferty eagerly introduced himself as a Canadian and asked Reagan to sign his business card. McCafferty was executive director of the Progressive Conservatives Youth Federation of Canada at the time and an invited guest of the convention. Reagan thanked him for his interest in American politics. McCafferty has been involved in politics since the age of 12 at various levels. Reagan is a hero of McCafferty's. "He could make you feel special for a few minutes in an elevator," he said. "He was so down to earth, so patriotic. He genuinely loved his country and his freedom. He had a vision, but he wasn't pretentious." That autographed business card was his ticket to getting many more signed pictures and books from the Reagans. He kept in touch with people he met at the convention and asked them to get him autographs when they started working at the White House. "I sent a photocopy of the autographed card and they sent things back," he said. He contacted Kelly Sinclair, a White House liaison, and Reagan's speechwriter, Peggy Noonan. "I like to stay in touch with those I meet because I never know when I might see them again," said McCafferty. He now has a 40th birthday card from Ronald and Nancy as well as a signed photo of both former prime minister Brian Mulroney and Reagan among many other photos and cards. Reagan also sent him personalized copies of his memoirs, An American Life, and speeches, Speaking My Mind. His connections also landed him invitations to milestone events in Reagan's political career. He attended Reagan's second nomination at the Republican convention in 1984 at Dallas, Tex., and his 1985 presidential inauguration in Washington. A 1988 banquet in Reagan's honour was the last time he saw the former president in person. "Hearing he passed away is sad, but this week is a celebration of his life," he said. McCafferty has used the same technique to get autographs from all the presidents since from Lyndon Johnson was in office. He also has one from Mikhael Gorbachev, Reagan's nemesis in the Cold War.
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2004
He was the speaker at a Republican shindig and was vying for the Presidential nomination of the party. Ford prevailed, however, and Reagan had to wait until 1980. I often wonder how things would have been different had Reagan, not Carter, been inaugurated in January of 1981.
My other "brush with greatness" occurred in 1972 when Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott used the urinal next to me.
nemesis
1.A source of harm or ruin: Uncritical trust is my nemesis.
2.Retributive justice in its execution or outcome: To follow the proposed course of action is to invite nemesis.
3.An opponent that cannot be beaten or overcome.
4.One that inflicts retribution or vengeance.
5.Nemesis Greek Mythology. The goddess of retributive justice or vengeance.
Gorbachev was hardly Reagan's nemesis during the cold war!
ScaniaBoy
Ronald Reagan practiced the politics of joy and hope.
You sir sound like a very frustrated and angry
soul and I feel sorry for you.
God bless you.
Thank you for sharing.
God bless you.
It is amazing how the 'media' can mangle the English language.
Thank you for your very interesting observation.
God bless.
Reagan was inaugurated in 1981.
Individuals in the so-called "Blogosphere" frequently tout unsubstantiated rumors, innuendo and even blatant falsehoods.
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